I do not claim to be an expert on astrology or someone that see's astrology as the be and end all. For me, it is another point of interest and something that can be used as a mirror; to assist in self awareness and awareness of others. What I am going to take a closer look at here is how the ego minds associations can and do shape people’s views on astrology. Associations can shape how one sees everything in life and not just astrology of course. However, astrology will be the primary focus here. This means that it is not my intention to either prove or disprove the legitimacy of astrology. What one believes is a personal matter, and I have no interest in trying to prove anything. I am interested in making people think and question their mind. Associations The ego mind forms associations around all things; they are what create personal and collective meaning. This is not to say that these associations are always true, accurate or functional. And this is because the ego mind doesn’t necessarily create associations based on what is true, accurate or functional; it simply forms them based on what is familiar. Once something has been experienced enough times, it will then become familiar to the ego mind. So no longer will one have to think about these associations or meanings; the whole process will become automatic. Freedom Of Thought? Now, if the associations that one’s ego mind has around something are accurate it could lead to a better chance of a balanced perspective being attained. To see something for what it actually is and to limit: prejudice, ignorance and inaccurate ideas from getting in the way. If the associations that one has are not accurate, it is inevitable that; ignorance, prejudice and inaccurate ideas are more likely to appear. But if these associations are running automatically and therefore unconscious, one will become a slave to them. And this means that freedom of thought will no longer be an option. Being Right Once familiarity has been formed, the need to be right will be extremely important to the ego mind. And this is because what is familiar is classed as what is safe. So this means that should it be different, it would be perceived as leading to death. This may sound completely crazy and out of proportion. And yet this doesn’t matter to the ego mind, it is still interpreted in the same way; whether it is a life or death situation or if it means changing ones beliefs, perception or ideas about something insignificant. So the ego mind needs to be right, as this certainty is linked to its survival. It cannot see that being wrong, is unlikely to lead to death. The Mainstream So now that the foundations have been laid, let’s go back to astrology again. In the mainstream media when astrology is mentioned or looked at, it is usually to do with star signs. And very little else is ever covered or mentioned. This means that invariably people see astrology as something that is very general and could relate to anyone. There is nothing unique or specialized about star signs. The Glass Is Full After being exposed to this kind of astrology, ones ego mind will have created numerous associations. This can then be the perspectives, beliefs and ideas that one has around astrology. Now, one can always question these associations, but that will depend upon how aware they are of their mind. The mind can then either be open or closed. If it remains closed in wont matter what other information is offered, as the ego mind will reject and deny anything that conflicts with the associations that have already been formed. Regardless of if they are true or not. The Birth Chart While the star sign or sun sign as it is often called, is undoubtedly an important part of astrology, there are many other important signs. And these are what make up ones birth chart. There is the Moon, Ascendant, Venus, Descendent, Midheaven and the Mercury sign to name but a few; as well as houses, planets and aspects. The Ascendant is often described as the face that one shows to the world and this covers their physical appearance, personality and specific talents or ability’s that are associated with the sign. Whereas the star sign is to do with how one is with friends and behind the eyes of the world. Ones emotional style and their inner child are attributed to the moon sign. The side that one rarely shows to others and is only seen by close friends and family for example. How one is seen is said to depend on the ascendant sign and how one likes to see others is based on the descendent. And this is the sign that is opposite to the ascendant. How one relates to others in an intimate relationship and the kind of person that one looks for is related to the Venus sign. The Mercury sign relates to the communication style that one has and how they like to express themselves, through speech or writing. And the midheaven shows what kind of work one has to do to be fulfilled. The Four Elements And then there are also the four elements: air, fire earth and water. Air and fire signs are described as masculine, extrovert and positive. The fire signs are: Aries, Leo and Sagittarius. And the air signs are: Gemini, Libra and Aquarius. The water and earth signs are classed as feminine, introvert and negative. The water signs are: Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces. And the earth signs are: Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn. The Modes These represent what type of sign it is, the three modes are: cardinal, fixed and mutable. And these correspond to the seasons of the year. Cardinal represents the start of a season and it represents signs that like to lead. Fixed represents the middle of a season and it represents signs that complete things. Mutable marks the end of a season and represents signs that embrace change and all that is new. Cardinal is: Libra, Aries, cancer and Capricorn, Fixed is: Aquarius, Leo, Scorpio and Taurus. Mutable is: Gemini, Sagittarius, Pisces and Virgo. Calculation Once one has done their birth chart they will see all the different aspects and elements. Although one may have a fire or water start sign, the rest of their chart could be made up of primarily earth or air for instance If someone has a star sign that is an introvert sign and comes across as an extrovert or vice versa, it won’t make any sense to people who have been programmed to only know about star signs. So one can either denounce astrology or come with another idea; when it could simply be the result of their ascendant being an extrovert or introvert sign. And so this means that one can often appear to be the complete opposite of their star sign. There can also be afflictions in ones chart. And this means that one can have opposing signs in certain positions and this can lead to conflict and challenges being created. Conclusion This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to astrology. There is so much more to look into. So if this has lead to an interest in astrology or a change in opinion is irrelevant: what matters is that one thinks critically. And regardless of all of this, what we have as human beings is free will. To choose what we will believe in and what we will place our attention on. There are many other areas, subjects and even people that are seen through perceptions that have come about through the ego mind forming inaccurate associations.

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